life+running » flowers

Lotsa New Stuff!

chimes — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:00:00 +0000

I’ve been really busy lately making a ton of new stuff! Last month I made new wallets, zip bags and then decided to make a big box full of new dishes. Free shipping to Ames and Des Moines and Christmas orders must be placed by December 20 to receive them on time.

Here’s a small taste of what I made (click the link to go to the etsy listing):

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Buy Handmade Not Faux-Crafted for the Holidays

chimes — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:00:00 +0000

There are so many craft and art shows this season there isn’t any excuse not to support local makers and get some of your holiday shopping done at these local events. Unlike buying from a franchise store, when you support your local makers the money goes directly to them and directly back into the community. Who knows where the money goes when you pick up your gifts at Target, Wal-Mart, or any other big box or franchise store. It doesn’t go to the person who made it. That’s for dang sure.

How about instead of buying an over-priced scarf at The Gap, pick up a lovely cowl from Hey Jen Renee!.
(click the images below to go to the etsy listings)

Or what about those sweatshopped items at Urban Outfitters made to LOOK handmade? Instead of getting faux-crafted items, pick up the real deal. Like this gold rosette headband from Bean and the Sprout.

And thinking about shopping at Pottery Barn for bedding? Instead how about this lovely quilt — perfect for a little girl — from Whoopdedoo Crafts?

Oh and what about a gift for your lovely but sassy daughter who just moved out on her own for the first time? She probably doesn’t want your old tired set of Corelle dishes from 1995 or a new cheap set from Target. She would rather have these hand-painted upcycled dishes from chimesdesign.

Can’t make it to a craft show? No problem if you live in Ames. There’s a handy-dandy art vending machine, aptly named ArtVend, set up at Wheatsfield Coop. Things found inside this machine are also all handmade by local makers (extremely local — you have to live within 50 miles of Ames to vend). Pick up some stocking stuffers and while you’re at it, pick up some local food and support local agriculture (hey, I have to plug that now too!).

These are just a FEW of the many many many reasons that you NEED to try to shop local for your holiday gifts.

Want to meet some of these makers and get a chance to shop locally? Hit up Craft Saturday’s Handmade Holiday Show tomorrow from 12-6! Be there or be square. I will be there with my dishes, wallets, and zip bags.

And don’t forget about the mega-awesome Market Day Black Friday Sale on November 25th. I won’t be there selling (unless they can squeeze me in) but I will be there buying (assuming I don’t have to work … I haven’t quite figured out my vacation schedule yet!).

P to the S: Guess who’s on the front page of the Des Moines Register today? ME!

They just randomly picked a photo file to represent all the holiday craft shows … so I guess it was a good pic.

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5, 4, 3, 2, 1 about chimes

chimes — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Hi. I’m chimes. If you’ve been reading my blog and are just now figuring this out, well howdy. I’ve decided to try Craftzine’s 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Profile questions. Enjoy!

One Project You Are Particularly Proud Of

1. My musical flowers pitcher. And the resulting photos of it. I really miss my little brick wall porch at my old place in Des Moines.

Two Mistakes You’ve Made in the Past

1. Not saying no when I should. I’m to proud to admit when I can’t take on a project — I love being a jack of all trades. I recently took engagement photos of my friend’s little sister and her (now) hubby. I really shouldn’t have. I’m not a photographer. And I said yes to taking her WEDDING photos too.

[okay, so they didn't turn out too horrible]

2. Using parchment paper to bake these amazing brownies. The result? What my roommate coined “reverse brownies” — gooey on the outside, done in the middle.

Three Things That Make Your Work Unique

1. I’m cheap — but in a good way. I use EVERY scrap of fabric — including the selvedge edges — every discarded dish, every possible inch of batting and use cereal boxes for patterns for sewing projects. I’m currently making a map of the states quilt out of pieces of fabric that are less than 2″ big. Partially because I’m a fabric hoarder too.

2. Asymmetry. I hate symmetrical and being matchy matchy. I will never make a quilt from a traditional pattern — it has to be wonky.
3. Obviously, I love handmade objects. And as a graphic designer in my professional life, I try to incorporate hand-done items into my work as much as possible — whether it’s my own illustrations, found objects, fabric or paintings created by a friend.

[album cover for a band I was in that never took off]

Four Tools You Love to Use

1. Rotary cutter. I have no idea why, but there is something so damn therapeutic about cutting fabric and placing it in neat piles.
2. Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign — use it daily at work)
3. Sewing machine — ~~I sometimes think I need a fancy one with more bells and whistles, but the freebie one I got from my aunt has been kicking out great projects and working just fine~~. I actually got a new Janome in October and it has been rocking my world! I even completed a quilt last month using that machine with no blips in the fabric or dropped stitches. I’m saving my old machine for threadbangin’ more crafty projects.

4. Sketchbook + Prismacolors. I don’t just do things. I think them through first and find several ways of accomplishing what my desired end result may be. It’s surprising what you come up with when you take some time to brainstorm.

Five Inspirations

1. Quilters like Fussy Cut and Oh Fransson!
2. Michael Jackson. Yes. I’m serious. If you’ve not read my blog before, then newsflash: I heart MJ.
3. Every DIY and craft blog out there. ever. I think I follow all of them in my google reader.
4. My granny — she left a TON of unfinished projects when she died and I’ve been randomly finishing them up in the past several years. Here’s a quilt I completed out of blocks she made from what we think may have been old clothing (she was also cheap and thrifty).

5. And I have to mention my boyfriend. He’s constantly helping me refine my work and offers up suggestions and critique as well as an incredible amount of support.

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[one of] my best friend’s wedding: recap

chimes — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +0000

it’s been a month and a handful of days, and my friend Steph and her beau are still happily married.

and my friend Kelly finally posted her amazing photos.

That means it’s finally time for a recap!

We started off the day before the wedding with a fabulous bridal tea thrown by Steph’s future sister and mother-in-law at their home. Here’s Steph with the teacup and saucer I made her for the occasion.

The bridal party

AMAZING sangria. I *need* this recipe.

After tea we went and got our nails did. Which was rather entertaining because I broke off half my thumbnail two days before (yes HALF of it) and I run (in case you forgot) so I told the lady to leave my calluses alone. She was pretty put off by that request even AFTER I explained that if she shaved off my calluses that it would make my feet worse. And it would hurt my training. (ha. training!)

She managed to paint my thumb so it looked like there was a real nail on it.

We went and rehearsed and after rehearsal we went to 801 Chop House for the rehearsal dinner and our significant others joined us.

Mark looks dead sexy in a suit. Just sayin.

Then came the wedding day! The ceremony was outside at Sticks in Des Moines and the reception was inside the warehouse.

I was in love with the flowers — even though Steph said they were definitely NOT what she’d ordered. They were gorgeous.

and so was the cake. also delicious for the record (kelly and I snagged 2 pieces)

the bridal party — ready to rock — glittered up!

After the wedding the bride and groom were showered with white rose petals and left to get some pix taken.

This photo is beyond gorgeous (Amanda does AMAAAAAZING work).

While they were out, we waited for our official photos. Somewhat impatiently …

for the record, the above two shots are probably 2 of my favorite photos of myself ever.

Mark held my flowers so I could take a pee break from the ridiculousness that was ensuing.

oh, and my other BFF Adria was there. Holla!

And our friend Jen made it with her hubby and her month-old baby, Adoree. She had to break Chinese tradition of 30 days of house arrest to attend (BY ONE WHOLE DAY). They are the cutest little family ever!

Dinner and drinks were served. Cake was nommed. Dancing ensued.

One thing I must note — the music, the food — everything — was so significant to the couple. They spent hours and hours on the perfect playlist and even had their string quartet play “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure for the processional and they played “Today” by Smashing Pumpkins as the recessional. I *loved* it. And I know they were hoping that everybody loved the food and music because they put so much of themselves in the selection of both.

take one

take two

take three

WINNING

because we’re classy.

And yes, I ~~had~~ got drunk enough to show off the fact that I worked my butt off the previous week and a hafl to lose the last 5 pounds to fit in that dress.

Note: always get the bigger size if you’re between sizes. I didn’t even THINK about the fact that my hips are hugetastic (11 inches larger than my waist) and that even if I weighed 10 pounds less the dress STILL would have been tight because my hips aren’t going to be any smaller. You can’t shrink bone people!

However, you just got a free pass to the gun show. Enjoy.

all photos are from Kelly, Amanda or Candace unless otherwise noted. Photos without credits are mine.

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Tu-tu-Tuesday: Ceramic Class at Reiman Gardens

chimes — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +0000

I’m really excited because this Saturday (June 18) I’ll be teaching a class at Reiman Gardens in Ames.

I’ll be bringing some adorable mugs I’m collecting for this and we’ll be painting flowers, butterflies and other things that Reiman Gardens might have to offer.

You should probably sign up for the class. I would LOVE to see you. And it’s all skill levels — I don’t draw — I doodle. I’ll teach you how to doodle up your old ceramics. Also, it’s not super early in the AM. 10 is pretty decent.

Here are the deets:
Garden Ceramic Painting: Making Old Ceramics New
Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Instructor: Calee Himes
Join artist Calee Himes, owner of chimesdesign, as she shows you how to create whimsical illustrations of plants and butterflies on old ceramic mugs. You can use this technique to create permanent illustrations on your own, dated ceramic dishes. This unique approach to re-using and recycling will bring a smile to your face each time you have a cup of coffee! All materials are included and all skill levels are welcome.

Cost: CoHorts’ members: $24. General public: $30. ISU students: $20.40. Pre-registration and pre-payment by Wednesday, June 15, 2011 before the class required. Register online.

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Humpday Blog Love: Des Moines Wedding Savvy

chimes — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:11:17 +0000

I’ve been working with a local blogger who wanted to launch a bigger and better version of her blog. She curates and posts about local Des Moines vendors that cater to wedding needs. The website: Des Moines Wedding Savvy.

We began talks a couple months back, and after chatting about the creative direction for a while, I decided it was time to build out the site. I love her style and it definitely shows throughout the blog scheme.

So, brides, check her out.

Crafty peeps — she’s got a lot of local vendors (big and small) featured. Want yours featured? Contact her, and she will hook you up. She’s always looking for new and exciting vendors who are ready and willing to cater to her brides. Plus, it never hurts to get your name out there in one more place.

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Crafting for Night of the Living Prom!

chimes — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:01:32 +0000

Once again I’m attending the fabulous charity prom put on by Sigler Companies in Ames. This year’s theme is Night of the Living Prom. So, you can go as a zombie or as whatever you want. So really, the only difference from last year is the zombie part. Last year’s theme was Revenge of the Prom.

Anyway, Mark is going with me and I kind of fed his ideas for what he was going to wear and let them snowball into something really cool. So originally he was wanting to wear an old-school tuxedo t-shirt with weight-lifting gloves and a jacket, but I suggested we go to the Atomic Garage in Valley Junction to see if they had any cool vintage attire. There, we found an epic PBR t-shirt, which is perfect because him and all my guy friends are notorious for drinking PBR since it’s the cheapest pitcher you can get. But it was too small. I bought it anyway assuming I could craft it into something.

Today I tried on my black dress that I’d bought last year that has never quite fit (it tapers to the top — which makes no sense, but whatever). I decided that it was too cute with the electric blue and black lace tights I had on and that I HAD to make it work. Coincidentally, at the same time I tried the dress on, I got a text from Mark saying that he was going to tuck his jeans into his boots, old-school punk style.

*idea!*

So we’re going punk.

I’m going to add a hook and eye closure where the zipper stops zipping on the dress, and add loops so I can lace the rest of it up like a corset so it will fit. There’s only about 6 inches where it won’t zip, but I figured it’d be an easy fix and I won’t have to take the zipper out to do it, so if by some miracle of God or if I lose some ribs then MAYBE it will fit someday and I can un-frankenstein it up.

The PBR shirt is getting cut up and patched onto a charcoal grey t-shirt along with some electric blue accent fabric. Also — safety pins. He’s wearing the gloves and jacket along with the tucked in jeans. It’s going to be awesome.

I already made the corsage and boutonniere for the event, including some awesome houndstooth fabric, sequins and of course, safety pins, with a little bit of electric blue ribbon. AWESOME. I hope it’s not too girly for him to wear.

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upcycled vintage water pitcher

chimes — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 15:51:21 +0000

I haven’t made many ceramic pieces lately, but I had this gorgeous pitcher lying around (courtesy of @shanereiser) for the past 3 months and I’ve been meaning to do SOMETHING to it. I finally got around to painting it a couple days ago. And I took some photos today. I’ve never taken advantage of my lovely enclosed porch for photos before (silly me), and I’m surprised I ventured out there after I got locked out a few weeks back.

What do you think? I love this thing so much that I don’t really want to get rid of it. I must find more pitchers and do more of these. I need vases and pitchers, stat. I have no room for them though, so sadly, unless I get rid of some of my current inventory, this will be my sole pitcher.

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Molly Nagel … the artist behind Whimsy Creek

chimes — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:02:37 +0000

Molly Nagel is a freelance artist, graphic designer, cake-master and pretty much dabbles in a little bit of everything artistic or crafty. I’ve known Molly for a few years. We met back in college through my friend Kelly during graphic design school.

I’ve been following Molly’s blog for a while now and have been LOVING her beautiful flower paintings. She’s got a store on etsy, and I’ve definitely favorited all the flower paintings…. and wisted the ones she isn’t selling.

Here’s a smattering of her flower paintings…

Besides flower paintings, Molly does a lot of dog portraits on stone. I’ve been wanting one since my weiner dog died back in April, but haven’t found my favorite picture of him.

If you get a chance, check out her blog!

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Adria’s Bachelorette Attire

chimes — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:22:44 +0000

I couldn’t wait to blog about this, so I’m blogging on the 25th, but this won’t go public until the 27th. :) That way the surprise isn’t spoiled!

My girlies from high school and I are going to Chicago this weekend and we decided to surprise Adria by turning one of our nights into a bachelorette party — laid back of course.

Adria’s friend, Magan who she knows through craftster.org swaps made stenciled t-shirts and I made a crown and sash (which turned into a lei instead) and “naughty” cookies. I originally was going to make a patchwork sash but couldn’t decide how long to make it since Adria is a good 5-7 inches taller than me. I also was going to make “party peters” but couldn’t find the appropriate cookie cutter and was tired of going into porn shops looking for one. I decided to use a cookie cutter I already had and use my imagination to come up with something almost as good. I came up with “party panties” instead.

Here’s the crown — I made fabric flowers from leftover fabric from this quilt using this tutorial and added rhinestones and used some dimensional fabric paint (aka puff paint for those of you around when it was rampant in the ’90s)

As you well know, I have absolutely no patience for anything. So the above photos have wet paint. The silver swirls will dry as translucent with silver glitter.

And here is the lei. Also made from fabric flowers.

Also note my medal from the Des Moines Marathon and the Capital Pursuit 10-Miler. Not that they’re as pretty or exciting, but I thought I’d point them out because it’s going to be a long while before I get another one of either of those!

AND here are my Party Panties. :) They totally did NOT turn out the way I wanted them to. Mostly because I, again, have no patience and wanted to make the frosting when I was on my lunch break on Monday and accidentally added too much milk in my haste. Frosting=runny. I didn’t have $ or time to get more powdered sugar from the store, nor did I want a bag of that lying around my cupboards (you’d be amazed at what I can concoct when I want something sweet)…so I froze the frosting and dealt with it. The yellow was some store-bought that I had in the freezer. If I could do it again (which I’m sure I will) I’d frost all the panties white first then go back and add all the fun colors. There’s just not enough frosting on the cookies. I might even go as far as to frost them all skin-toned first so there’s more frosting coverage. Oh well.

YAY. I’m soooo excited for this weekend. I’m probably having a blast as you’re reading this. I’ve never pre-blogged before.

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